Legendary AFL coach Tom Hafey dies

The football world is in mourning tonight after the death of coaching great Tom Hafey at the age of 82.

The four-time premiership coach had been fighting a short battle with cancer.

Former VFL football player and coach Tom Hafey poses for photos after his early morning training session in Melbourne in 2011. The football world is in mourning tonight after the death of coaching great at the age of 82. Picture: Getty Images.

Hafey coached 521 games at Richmond, Collingwood, Geelong and Sydney over a period spanning three decades. In 1999, Hafey was named coach of Richmond's team of the century.

“This is an extremely sad day in Richmond’s history, to have lost a giant of the Club in Tommy Hafey,” Gale said.

“Tommy was a fine example of how to get the most out of life – his mantra of hard work, discipline, dedication, persistence, honesty, loyalty, integrity, good health and vitality, was not only the recipe for success on the football field, but success in his wonderful life.

“At this time, our thoughts are with Tommy’s wife Maureen, their children Rhonda, Karen and Jo, and the extended family.”